Maurice
Meaning of Maurice
The name Maurice is a distinguished and classic male name with roots in Latin, derived from "Mauritius," meaning "dark-skinned" or "Moorish." It has been used widely across Europe, particularly in English- and French-speaking countries. In English, it is pronounced as maw-REES (/mɒˈriːz/), while the French pronunciation is moh-REES (/moʊˈris/). Maurice carries a sense of timeless elegance and has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including Saint Maurice, a Roman legionary who became a Christian martyr. The name also has literary associations, such as in E.M. Forster's novel "Maurice," which explores themes of identity and love. Although its popularity in the United States has seen fluctuations over the years, reaching its peak in the early 20th century, Maurice remains a cherished choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and cultural resonance. Variations of this name include Morris, which offers a slightly different yet equally enduring appeal.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as maw-REES (/mɒˈriːz/)
French
- Pronunced as moh-REES (/moʊˈris/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Maurice
| Maurice Duplessis - Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis, also known as "Le Chef," was a prominent Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 16th premier of Quebec, known for his conservative, nationalist, and anti-communist views. |
| Joseph Maurice Ravel, a French composer, pianist, and conductor, was internationally recognized as France's leading composer in the 1920s and 1930s. |
| Maurice Richard - Joseph Henri Maurice "Rocket" Richard was a legendary Canadian professional ice hockey player known for being the first in NHL history to score 50 goals in one season and to reach 500 career goals. |
| Maurice Sendak was a renowned American author and illustrator of children's books, best known for his classic work Where the Wild Things Are, and he also contributed to other beloved stories such as In the Night Kitchen and the Little Bear books. |
| Maurice Merleau-Ponty was a French phenomenological philosopher known for his work on the constitution of meaning in human experience and his involvement in the leftist magazine Les Temps modernes. |
| Maurice Ernest Gibb was a British musician and member of the pop group Bee Gees, known for his lead vocals on several of their songs. |
| Maurice Wilkins - Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins was a Nobel laureate biophysicist known for his contributions to the scientific understanding of various areas of physics and biophysics, including his work on the structure of DNA at King's College London. |
| Maurice Frederick Strong was a Canadian businessman, diplomat, and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. |
| Maurice R. Greenberg - Maurice Raymond “Hank” Greenberg is an American business executive known for his role as the former chairman and chief executive officer of American International Group (AIG). |
| Maurice Rupert Bishop was a Grenadian revolutionary and the leader of the New Jewel Movement, which prioritized socio-economic development, education, and black liberation, and he headed the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada from 1979 to 1983. |
| Maurice Ralph Hilleman, known as the "father of modern vaccines," was a pioneering American microbiologist who developed over 40 vaccines and is credited with saving nearly eight million lives each year. |
| Maurice Edu is a retired American professional soccer player who now works as a commentator. |
| Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman, is an English political theorist, academic, and Labour life peer known for coining the term "Blue Labour" and his work in political theory and social commentary. |
| Maurice Greene is a former American track and field sprinter, known for holding the 100m world record and winning multiple Olympic medals and World Championships. |
| Maurice Nathan Saatchi, Baron Saatchi, is a British businessman known for co-founding the advertising agencies Saatchi & Saatchi and M&C Saatchi with his brother, Charles. |
